This Week In Shark Hysteria: WA Locals Call For Action

“Dozens” of shark sightings along the Watermans Beach-Trigg Point area in Western Australia culminated in the closest of calls for surfers and some locals have had enough.

Last Sunday, a shark of an unknown species, estimated to be up to four meters long, popped up within a metre of surfers, prompting a mad dash for shore. A freelance photographer was on hand to capture the action, telling WA Today: “It was all over in five minutes.”

“There was no surf around,” he continued. “Then I saw the guys making a beeline for the beach. I thought that was strange so I started photographing and lo and behold, this is what I got.”

The shark was chasing fish and locals are convinced it’s the same shark that’s been feeding on schools of salmon in the area for the past six weeks.

Karrinyup surfer Glenn Buckey had written to Fisheries and the City of Stirling the week prior after he had a three-ish metre shark appear next to his leg at the same wave.

“I’ve had sharks cruising along underneath me looking for fish before,” he said. “This one was going to have a go at me. This thing was making a direct play for me.

“It’s chased people in at Mettam’s (Pool), it chased a few of my friends in a couple of weeks ago at Trigg Point and then did the same thing again later that day.

“I don’t particularly condone killing anything but this shark has been freaking people out in our neighbourhood for the better part of two months.”

West Australia’s Fisheries Shark Response Unit has said there is no evidence it was the same shark and will not be taking action.